Big entry revealed for series

A total of 24 registrations have been received for the 30-round championship, with more expected ahead of the series' opening three races at Thruxton on April 10/11.

Triple BTCC champion team Vauxhall heads the list of manufacturers involved this year. Honda, MG and Proton, which has developed a new version of its Impian, are back and will be joined by series newcomer SEAT with its Toledo challenger.

Spanish manufacturer SEAT brings with it the return of 2001 champion Jason Plato, while Vauxhall's two champs James Thompson and Yvan Muller will also be back.

The Independents Trophy looks set to be the closest fought yet, with Rob Collard's Vauxhall Astra and Matt Neal returning to the fray in his family-run Team Dynamics.

For the first time, an LPG-powered car will run in the BTCC with the introduction of Mardi Gras Motorsport's gas-propelled Honda Civic. Other last-minute entries are expected from privateer outfits Team Varta and Team Halfords, while RJN Motorsport could still bring out its Nissan Primera later in the season.

Gow, who returned to the BTCC helm last season, said: "Motorsport generally is still suffering the effects of the economic downturn over the last few years so it's particularly notable, and a real testament to the BTCC, that our 2004 entry is so strong. I'm also aware that there are some additional entries to be announced shortly, and there could also be a real surprise entry as we get further into the season.

"I always look beyond the present and what we now have in place will enable the BTCC to continue to gather momentum and grow in size and stature throughout and beyond '04. This is just the beginning, and I'm extremely confident of the very positive direction in which this great championship is heading."

The championship will feature new rules designed to spice up the racing this season. These include performance-equalising success ballast and a reverse grid system.

The BTCC's 10 race meetings will all be televised either live or live delayed on ITV1. It will also return to the British Grand Prix bill for the first time since 1996 for a non-championship race.